In vitro translation products of turnip crinkle virus RNA

Turnip leaves infected with turnip crinkle virus accumulate a 35-kd polypeptide which comigrates with the major protein from isolated virions. RNA from TCV virions directs the synthesis of a number of polypeptides in vitro including a 35-kd protein which is immunoprecipitable with antiserum to virus particles. Translation of viral RNA size-fractionated on sucrose gradients or methyl mercurichydroxide-containing gels shows that the TCV coat protein is synthesized primarily from RNA fragments which are smaller than the genomic RNA. A satellite RNA species found in virions does not direct the synthesis in vitro of any identifiable protein.